The Wait

The late afternoon sky was filled with the noisy bustle and chirping of brilliantly colored turquoise birds. They were headed towards the golden wheat fields across the road to settle down for the night. A small airplane was rumbling its' way across the clear blue New Mexican sky. Its destination was the landing strip at the tiny airport in town. The sweet perfume of bright orange and purple wildflowers was wafting through the air as the early evening winds started to pick up. And the soft sound of the beating of hummingbird wings was starting to drift off. The tiny birds decided that it was time to head for their nightly slumber into the deep woods.

All seemed very peaceful on this lovely, cool autumn night. But two mournful amber eyes did not see the wonder and beauty of nature going to sleep. They were intent on only one thing.

It was two hours after the usual time. What was happening? Did I do something wrong? Am I going to be replaced? Will I ever see him again?

The full-harvest moon started to rise above the horizon. Wisps of oak and maple smoke drifted lazily from the neighbors' chimney onto the porch. The smell was intoxicating. And the night grew very still.

But the soulful amber eyes on the porch never wavered. They were intent on only one thing. The front wooden gate loomed large in the growing shadows. The surrounding fence posts stood ominously still. And the darkness grew.

Where is my special one? There must be some explanation! The amber eyes started to become very sad and anxious.

Slowly, the huge orange moon started to make its journey across the star-studded sky. Crickets hopped from their homes and proceeded to sing their nightly songs. Firefly's blinked white sparks in the dark And the whippoorwills began their harmonies.

But the two amber eyes took no notice of this musical and visual extravaganza. Because every creak and squeak of the wooden gate was memorized for years, hearing was focused on only this place. But still only silence.